The New Hampshire medical marijuana program started issuing cards in December and has sent out cards to more than 1,300 patients and approved 65 caregivers. Pictured: High Level Health, a medical marijuana shop on East Colfax Avenue in Denver. (Vince Chandler, The Denver Post)

State pushes to clear New Hampshire medical marijuana card backlog

Published: Sep 28, 2016, 9:03 am • Updated: Sep 28, 2016, 9:03 am

By The Associated Press

CONCORD, N.H. — Some New Hampshire medical marijuana patients are waiting more than 40 days before they receive authorization to use cannabis dispensaries.

The Concord Monitor reports a backlog of applications at the Department of Health and Human Services means more than 100 identification cards have been approved but haven’t been sent to patients.

John Martin, chief of the HHS Bureau of Licensing and Certification, says the bureau isn’t complying with the statute that calls for approved patients to receive their cards within 20 days of applying. But Martin says he expects to eliminate the backlog by early October.

The New Hampshire medical marijuana program started issuing cards in December and has sent out cards to more than 1,300 patients and approved 65 caregivers.